The Derby office market is somewhat split between its premier office park being Pride Park and the city centre.  Over the last 15 to 20 years much of the office take up in Derby has been on Pride Park but the city is beginning to fight back.  We are currently seeing substantial investment in both self-contained and multi let buildings within the city centre in a hope to attract businesses back to these areas.

Pride Park is still the primary choice for the majority of businesses we speak with and accommodation on Pride Park typically comprises standalone office buildings, ranging in size from 1,000ft² to those well over 20,000ft².  Some of these buildings are now close to 25 years in age and range in appearance and specification, some being refurbished to a modern day standard with raised floors, air conditioning and LED lighting, with others being somewhat dated.

There remains very little available stock on Pride Park and as a result we are ongoingly speaking with a number of established businesses that require offices in this location, some of which have been looking for 12 – 18 months plus.  There is clearly good demand at present due to this shortage in supply.  This was evident when we recently placed 4 Riverside Court on the market, which is a 4,208ft² detached office building.  We were able to secure a tenant within two weeks of marketing and unfortunately there were two additional businesses who missed out.  Rents remain at existing levels, typically between £12.50 per ft² and £16.50 per ft², but I see no reason why these shouldn’t start to increase.  In terms of capital values, we have seen stiff competition from owner occupiers and as a result we have seen some properties on Pride Park transact above £170 per ft².

Within the city centre there are a number of multi-let office buildings such as Cardinal Square and Pentagon House that have historically not been compared to accommodation on Pride Park.  Pleasingly both these buildings have seen significant investment over the past 12 – 18 months and offer excellent accommodation with parking.  These buildings also benefit from being within a short walk of Derby city centre which hosts excellent shopping facilities and a mix of national and local eateries.  We’ve seen extensive refurbishments at both buildings, not only internally but also we have seen glazing replaced, EV points installed and secret gardens created.  Fully refurbished suites are available from 13.00 per ft² to £15.50 per ft².

In addition to the large multi-let buildings, the city centre also hosts a number of smaller self-contained options albeit the majority of these are let or are occupier owned.  There are opportunities in this market, for example St Michael’s Court on St Michael’s Lane, which is now vacant, could be converted back into 5 smaller self-contained office units which I believe would be well received in today’s market on either a leasehold or freehold basis.

Over the past four to six weeks we have seen higher enquiry levels compared with the first quarter of the year, which is extremely positive.  This has led to proposals recently being issued on around 65,000ft² of office accommodation across Derbyshire.  Whilst not all these will result in transactions it is a very promising outlook.  The general sentiment continues that office occupies are seeking better quality accommodation with collaborative zones and break out areas.  In turn this increases wellbeing and productivity whilst driving some homeworkers back to the office.

For further information or to discuss your office requirement, then please do not hesitate to contact Darran Severn of FHP Property Consultants on 07917 460 031 / darran@fhp.co.uk.

ENDS

April 2023

A £4 million investment to refurbish the EastWest building at City Gate East in Nottingham helped the building achieve a rent of £24.50 per square foot.

The 19,045-square-feet letting to Equifax set a new benchmark for office rents in the city and earned a CoStar Impact Award in the category lease of the year. Broker Mark Tomlinson, a director at FHP Property Consultants, advised developer CEG on the letting.

The judges were impressed by how the refurbishment had transformed a second-hand office building into attractive, modern, quality workspace with thought paid to work-life balance. Properties like the EastWest building will help attract employees to the city centres, which is vital to the economy.

Developer CEG rebuilt the existing building, a short walk from Nottingham’s railway station, to cut the carbon footprint, adding new secondary glazing, variant refrigerant flow heating and cooling, and movement-controlled LED lighting.

“Supply of good quality office space in Nottingham is low and EastWest stands alone in its ability to offer its tenants a superb onsite business lounge café for informal meetings, hosting client events, staff breakout and workspaces,” said Tomlinson.

The move to the EastWest building marked an expansion for Equifax and its RDX Group and is the largest letting in the 160,000-square-foot building.

About the project:

Mark Tomlinson, a director at FHP Property Consultants, brokered a 19,045-square-feet lease in the East West building for CEG.

What the judges said:

“It’s encouraging to see how a mid 20th century office building can be transformed, through cutting edge contemporary refurbishment, to offer more attractive modern, quality workspace. This investment has paid dividends, evidenced by the successful,” said Keith Lown, head of department – property management and development at Nottingham Trent University.

On behalf of private clients, FHP Property Consultants are delighted to bring to market Unit 28 The Village, Maisies Way, South Normanton.

The building is well located ½ mile from Junction 28 of the M1 motorway at its intersection with the A38 dual carriageway giving excellent road access throughout the Midlands.  The property comprises a modern two storey, terraced brick built office building.  Internally it benefits from open plan office accommodation with glass partitioned rooms, a kitchenette and air conditioning throughout.

Corbin Archer of FHP Property Consultants comments:

“This is a great opportunity to acquire your own modern self-contained office building situated so close to the M1 motorway.  The office space is an open plan collaborative workspace with the option to fit out the building to suit your business needs and create multiple working destinations. The office is available to let on new lease terms at a rent of £28,607 per annum.  It is also available to purchase with the price being available upon application.  If you are interested in this office space then please contact me on the details below.”

For further information on this property please contact Corbin Archer on 07929 716 330 / corbin.archer@fhp.co.uk.

ENDS

Corbin Archer

April 2023

Ventro Ltd and Hire Giant Ltd are the newest tenants at Innovate Mews, a small business park located within minutes of J27, of the M1 providing excellent connectivity. The units comprise circa 1,500 sq. ft of office accommodation situation across two floors with designated car parking spaces. Innovate Mews is situated within an established office / industrial location and benefits from a mixture of occupiers, both local and regional.

FHP are delighted to have secured both tenants with one deal being an off-market transaction and the other securing the tenant within the second week of marketing. Both occupiers have settled into the units well and it is great to see the block of offices at full occupancy again.

Amy Howard, Surveyor at FHP Property Consultants commented:

“With securing an off-market deal I was apprehensive to see if we would get the same result at Unit 1, especially given the level of office stock available within close vicinity to the subject property. It was a great result on both units for my client and I am delighted that both deals have now completed.

The level of enquiries remained strong throughout the duration of Unit 1 being advertised as ‘Under Offer’ so there is certainly demand in the out-of-town business parks within the sub-3,000 sq. ft sector. I wish both Hire Giant and Ventro Group all the best in their future endeavours.”

Our retained client commented:

“As a remote landlord I rely totally on FHP to find new commercial tenants and manage my property. Amy Howard managed 2 lettings for me recently – both negotiated successfully. She is commercial, responsive and gets results.”

If you are looking to dispose of your leasehold out-of-town office units, please feel free to contact myself on 07887 787894 / alternatively, you can email me at amy.howard@fhp.co.uk.

ENDS

30 March 2023

RH Commercial Vehicles have recently secured Birkbeck House on Phoenix Business Park in Nottingham as their new Head Office facility.

Founded in 1977, the company operates from facilities in Nottingham, Leicester, Peterborough, Northampton, Alfreton and Newark and due to their continued expansion, required further office space close to their main dealership on Blenheim Industrial Estate.

The 4,912 sq ft building was recently sold by FHP with our clients undertaking a high specification refurbishment providing two, open plan floorplates with top quality fixtures and fittings including heating / cooling provision, LED lighting, brand new welfare facilities and the benefit of a substantial on-site car parking facility. Phoenix Business Park itself is located within easy reach of the A610 trunk road – providing fantastic access to both Nottingham and the M1, with a NET Tram Terminus and Park & Ride on site.

Thomas Szymkiw of FHP’s Office Agency Department commented:

“It was a pleasure to work with both Landlord and Tenant on this transaction with both parties working towards completing the deal quickly and efficiently, enabling occupation within tight timescales.

As soon as I was aware of RH Commercial Vehicle’s requirement, I knew that the building would be suitable due to it providing the high quality offices that they were seeking – with the location additionally in perfect close proximity to their main dealership on Blenheim Industrial Estate and Nottingham/M1.

We were just about to formally launch the marketing of the property – so it really was a case of good timing for both parties – and therefore it just goes to show if you considering your options, please do get in touch as we have opportunities both on and coming to the market that could be of interest.”

For more information on this transaction, or for an informal discussion in regards to your office requirements please do get it touch with Thomas Szymkiw on 07896 035 805 or thomas@fhp.co.uk.

On behalf of private clients, FHP Property Consultants are pleased to offer to market the leasehold interest of 4 Riverside Court, Pride Park, Derby, DE24 8JN.

The property comprises a two storey detached office building extending to approximately 4,208ft² and benefits from excellent parking for up to 16 vehicles.  The accommodation provides a mix of cellular and open plan office space and benefits from a reception entrance and a single height roller shutter loading door with ancillary storage space.

The offices are located on Pride Park within a comfortable walking distance of Derby rail station and the Wyvern Retail Business Park.

Darran Severn of FHP Property Consultants comments:

“I am pleased to bring this opportunity to market.  We have been experiencing a shortage of good quality available office properties on Pride Park over the last 12 months and I therefore feel this will be well received in the market.  The property offers good quality office accommodation in an excellent location and as a result we have already shown a number of seriously interested parties around. 

The offices are available by way of a sub-lease for a period of 3 years but a new lease may be available subject to covenant.  I look forward to speaking with any interested parties.”

For further information or to arrange a viewing, then please contact Darran Severn on  07917 460 031 / darran@fhp.co.uk or Jamie Gilbertson on 07398 443 828 / jamie.gilbertson@fhp.co.uk.

ENDS

March 2023

FHP are delighted to bring to the market Wesley House which is located within a short walking distance of Derby city centre.  It is just off the A601 in Derby city centre, approximately 8 miles west of Junction 25 of the M1 Motorway, via the A52.

The property provides a good quality four storey semi-detached office building of 3,466ft² with a central entrance providing accommodation on all floors with lift access. There is a mixture of open plan and cellular accommodation throughout with a kitchenette and W/C on each floor.

Corbin Archer of FHP Property Consultants comments:

“I am happy to bring this property to market as there are not many stand-alone offices available in Derby, especially ones of this specification and location as it is only a short walk from the city centre. This office will enable a business to have their own logo on the front of the building and to decorate the building to suit their business needs, offering a rare opportunity in today’s office market.

The property is available to let for £45,000 per annum and on a floor-by-floor basis subject to covenant strength. I often speak to businesses who are looking for good quality office space close to the city centre and therefore I expect to receive many enquiries on this office, so act fast and contact me on the details below.”

For further information or to arrange a viewing, please contact Corbin Archer on 07929 716330 or email corbin.archer@fhp.co.uk or Darran Severn on 07917 460031 or email darran@fhp.co.uk

ENDS

February 2023

Almost 50,000 sq ft of office space has been let at East West in Nottingham following a £4m redevelopment of the building.

Equifax has taken 19,045 sq ft across the entire 5th floor of the huge office development on Maid Marian Way, with CEG set to deliver a bespoke fit out on the company’s behalf.  Impero and Turner and Townsend have taken 3,345 sq ft and 4,260 sq ft respectively, while Worldwide Clinical Trials group has taken 10,500 sq ft of newly refurbished space at the scheme.  Faithful & Gould, Pick Everard and KPMG have all move into smaller offices in the 175,000 sq ft building.

The adjacent Toll House pub has been integrated into the development, providing a café bistro and business lounge. This first phase of redevelopment delivered by CEG also includes a new reception area to the east building, as well as glazing, lighting, heating and ventilation improvements and new cycling facilities, showers, drying room and lockers.

East West is one of the city’s most prominent office schemes, with existing tenants including Nottingham Trent University, Arup, JLL, Scape Group and RSM.

Alex Goode, investment manager at CEG, said:

“East West has been transformed to respond to businesses wanting healthy, sustainable and productive space that will help to attract and retain the best talent.  We are delighted to welcome seven new tenants and, although the building is so popular, we do have some suites from 1,900 to 20,000 sq ft available over the coming months, ready for bespoke fit out, the costs for which can be managed as part of the flexible rent package to reduce an occupier’s capital outlay.”

The development is being marketed by FHP on behalf of CEG.  Mark Tomlinson, director at FHP, said:

“We continue to see strong demand for the very best quality office spaces with many occupiers now seeking to improve the quality of their office environments. Supply of good quality office space in Nottingham is low and East West stands alone in its ability to offer its Tenants a superb onsite business lounge café for informal meetings, hosting client events, staff breakout and workspaces. I’m delighted to say that we are due to bring forward more space within the building in 2023.”

For further information on the current availability within East West please contact Mark Tomlinson on 07917 576 254 or  mark@fhp.co.uk.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to purchase your own office premises just minutes away from the M1 Motorway. The office is located in the Key Point Office Village which is situated just off the A38 leading directly to Junction 28 of the M1 Motorway.

The property is a good quality self-contained office building arranged over two floors with breakout rooms to help promote a collaborative work environment. The property benefits from five car park spaces, an intercom entry system and two W/C’s.  The property is available to purchase at a price of £245,000.

Corbin Archer of FHP Property Consultants comments:

“I am happy to be bringing this property to market as it is not very often an office becomes available to purchase, especially of this standard and location.  I expect to receive a lot of enquiries on it as it is currently the only freehold office we have available in Derbyshire to purchase.  Over the last 12 months freehold properties have sold really well and I look forward to speaking to interested parties.”

For further information or to arrange a viewing, please contact Corbin Archer on 07929 716330 or email corbin.archer@fhp.co.uk or Darran Severn on 07917 460031 or email darran@fhp.co.uk.

ENDS

January 2023

FHP Property Consultants are pleased to bring to the market Unit 17, The Village, situated on Maisies Way providing excellent connectivity to J28, M1 and offering links throughout the Midlands and UK. The well-established business park includes a range of well-known occupiers and is well-served by nearby local amenities.

The property comprises 8,289 sq. ft of good quality office space across ground and first floor accommodation, subject to be refurbished to a high-quality fit-out. The unit benefits from a double height entrance / reception area, with lift access and 34 designated car parking spaces. Air conditioning is fitted throughout, with kitchen and WC facilities on both floors offering a shower facility on the ground floor.

Amy Howard, Surveyor at FHP Property Consultants commented:

“We are excited to bring Unit 17 The Village onto the market, especially with the good level of traction we have received over the years along the A38 corridor on both office and industrial units.

The site offers a great opportunity for a nearby occupier looking to expand or alternatively, our client would be happy to split the unit and offer accommodation on a floor-by-floor basis. With the property subject to refurbishment, it allows any potentially interested party to work alongside the landlord during the initial discussions.

I look forward to speaking with potential new tenants and securing an occupier for our client. If you are interested in Unit 17, The Village and wish to arrange a viewing, please feel free to contact us.”

For further information, please contact Amy Howard on 07887 787894 or email amy.howard@fhp.co.uk or our joint agent Peter Whiteley at Knight Frank on 07979 530 416 or email peter.whiteley@knightfrank.com.

ENDS

Amy Howard

24 January 2023

FHP are delighted to bring to the market a new serviced office scheme situated in the heart of Nottingham’s Professional Quarter, just a few minutes’ walk to the City Centre which offers a plethora of amenities. As well as being situated with good access links, in close proximity to Nottingham’s Train Station, bus and NET routes.

14 Regent Street has recently undergone a refurbishment offering high quality office space situated across 5 floors with parking available for a select few occupiers. The suites are available from a range of different sizes, between 227 sq. ft to 3,047 sq. ft of furnished office space, and we are quoting a rent of £40 per ft².

Amy Howard, Surveyor at FHP Property Consultants Commented:

“I am excited to work alongside our client in securing them a number of tenants at 14 Regent Street with the hope of achieving full occupancy in the next few months. The suites are attractive to a range of different occupiers, including small start-up businesses.

We are seeing the enquiries for smaller office units increase due to issues such as energy prices rising, along with several other factors. Serviced offices are a quick fix to these issues and it provides occupiers with the comfort of flexible leases on an all-inclusive basis.

If you are interested in the above and wish to have further details on this, please contact myself on 07887 787894 / amy.howard@fhp.co.uk or alternatively, you can email our joint agent Charlotte Steggles at NG-CS at charlotte@ng-cs.com.”

In contrast to some opinion in regards to the future of the office, the East Midlands market has witnessed good levels of activity in 2022 with FHP agreeing 105 deals, representing some 357,000 sq ft of space across the region.

It is apparent whilst delving into these figures in a bit more detail that in a continuation of the changing attitudes towards the sector as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic, downsizing and demand for quality have been the real key drivers in the market – with 75% of these deals agreed being below 4,000 sq ft and over 70% of those being of high quality. We would expect the proportion of occupiers taking ‘Grade A’ spaces to be higher still if the quality of office supply in the region was there to match occupier demand.

Additionally, a more flexible hybrid working model is also influencing occupiers’ locations and property preferences with some attracted to the accessible business parks on the periphery of the core towns and cities – whilst others are downsizing to smaller hubs in the city centres which act as a focal point destination for both employee collaboration and meetings.

Although decision making still remains slow in the larger end of the market, whilst occupiers continue to assess their occupational space requirements, there has pleasingly still been traction this year too – with 8 key deals completed by FHP on floorplates and buildings over 10,000 sq ft within both the city centres and business parks. There is also a real focus within this sector on environmental performance and adhering to MEES recommendations with many occupiers stipulating that their buildings must at the very least have a ‘B’ EPC rating.

Whatever the type of property or location, our advice to clients remains the same – occupiers are seeking ‘best in class’ opportunities and when quality is provided to the market, positive results generally follow. There is no better example of this than at CEG’s East West scheme in Nottingham City Centre where FHP have agreed over 45,000 sq ft of lettings in 2022, with the quality of the refurbishment which incorporates an onsite business lounge café being popular with occupiers seeking to improve the quality of their working environments and amenities provided to clients and staff.

This is also reflected in a noticeable uplift in both rents and capital values in these ‘high quality’ options providing the evidence that refurbishing and remodelling to suit what is fast becoming a more ‘life-style’ office market is the way forward.

Successful refurbishments in this regard have understood the importance of providing a real sense of arrival with many incorporating feature reception / communal areas including welfare facilities such as a ‘barista-style’ café’s, gyms and informal meeting spaces to add to their offering – which for occupiers, these added benefits have just as much significance to their decision making as the office space itself.   These not only provide a fantastic working environment that encourage their staff into the office, but also a key sales tool in what is an ever-competitive recruitment market.

Looking into the new year, I would predict more of the same – with the activity in the market focusing on quality not quantity, with ESG credentials becoming ever more important due to the changes in EPC regulations – and I am, as always looking forward to assisting both clients and occupiers alike with their requirements moving forwards into 2023.

ENDS

Thomas Szymkiw

Date: 8 December 2022

High quality refurbished office space in Nottingham City Centre is becoming increasingly rare – and the letting of the Second Floor at The Imperial Buildings to engineering consultancy company CPW is just another shining example that when presentation to the market is done right – fantastic results will follow.

The offices had been previously occupied by a local architect’s practice for a number of years and therefore required a full modernisation programme.  With our guidance, we advised our clients to undertake a comprehensive refurbishment of the space that would be suitable for the needs of occupiers going forwards post-pandemic.  The new fit out included exposed services, feature drop down LED lighting, brand new heating/cooling system, a full refurbishment of the WC’s/shower facilities with a strip out of the partitioning to return to open plan and redecoration/new flooring finishes.

CPW have improved on this further, installing a stunning internal glazed meeting space and large kitchen/break-out area – all of which now provide them with a fantastic, modern working environment within a beautiful period building in the heart of the City Centre.

Thomas Szymkiw, Associate Director at FHP Property Consultants commented:

“It’s been a pleasure to assist CPW with their requirement for a new Nottingham office and I am delighted that they have chosen the Imperial Buildings as their new home – after visiting them post moving in there sure is a real buzz about the place and I wish them all the best of luck for the future.”

For further information on this letting or to discuss your office requirements in further detail, please do not hesitate to contact Thomas Szymkiw of FHP’s Office Department on 07896 035 805 or thomas@fhp.co.uk.

The fantastic ‘loft-style’ Fourth Floor office at the popular 34 Stoney Street has been let in a deal brokered by Thomas Szymkiw, office agent at FHP Property Consultants.

The circa 1,400 sq ft suite provides Budgeting Solutions a unique opportunity to acquire a high quality fully refurbished space within the roof eaves of this historic Grade II former Lace Mill.  The refurbishment included a full strip out with the installation of LED lighting, heating and cooling system, brand new kitchenette, WC’s and some really clever glass partition work between the roof trusses to create independent meeting spaces.

Thomas Szymkiw, Associate Director at FHP commented:

“This letting completes the final piece of the jigsaw for our clients who from acquisition of the property have undertaken a full and substantial refurbishment – sympathetically looking after its historic and period features whilst modernising the internal suites to the new tenants exacting specifications.

It just goes to show that in the current market occupiers are demanding quality and when this is delivered – fantastic results will follow.

It’s great news for the Lace Market office scene to have this building now fully let and I wish Paul at Budgeting Solutions and all the tenants the best of luck for the future.”

Paul Bavington, of Budgeting Solutions commented:

It’s been great working with Thomas/FHP on structuring the right deal with the landlord and being involved in specifying the fit out to ensure we created a workspace designed for hybrid working.

As a fast growing technology business, this space will enable colleagues and clients alike to embrace true digital working patterns.”

For further information on the Nottingham office market, or to discuss your requirements please give Thomas Szymkiw a call on 07896 035 805 or thomas@fhp.co.uk.

FHP Property Consultants are delighted to announce the completion of the First Floor offices at 12 Pride Point, Pride Park, Derby, DE24 8DX.

12 Pride Point is situated on Pride Park and benefits from excellent connections to the A52 and Derby City Centre.   Pride Park is a Derby’s premier business address with over 10,000 people working on the park every day.

The property comprises a modern first floor office suite measuring 151m² (1,623ft²). The accommodation benefits from an existing fit out providing open plan office space with meeting rooms and a staff break out area.

This office has been let out on a new lease period of 5 years at a rent equating to £10.50ft².

Jamie Gilbertson, Surveyor at FHP Property Consultants comments:

“I am delighted to have completed this letting and I wish the tenants every success.  There is still good demand for quality office space in Derby particularly on Pride Park.  It is also pleasing to see that companies are increasingly working from the office to boost collaboration and improve staff development.”

For further information, please contact Jamie Gilbertson on 07398 443828 or jamie.gilbertson@fhp.co.uk.

ENDS

October 2022

Acting on behalf of private clients, FHP have concluded the sale of Wyvern House on Phoenix Business Park, a detached 12,000 sq ft office building which was previously occupied by Eon prior to their rationalisation on the park.  The property has been sold to The Winners Chapel, a church group, predominately for office and administrative functions of the organisation which operates nationwide with ten branches in the UK to date.

The property was sold at a price of £1,450,000 and will now undergo a substantial refurbishment to provide modern office spaces and an open congregational hall area on part of the ground floor.

Mark Tomlinson, Director at FHP, who concluded the sale on behalf of the sellers commented:

“We are very pleased to have completed this sale which will hopefully breathe new life into this part of Phoenix Business Park which had suffered from reduced occupancy levels since the Coronavirus Pandemic.

 We are delighted to see that many of the occupiers within Phoenix Place are now returning to the office and this deal, alongside other projects we are working on in the business park will bring Phoenix Place back to full occupancy, which is very pleasing to see.”

Savills were joint selling agents on the deal.

FHP are pleased to confirm another successful transaction on Eldon Business Park, following the previous acquisition of Unit 32. The sale of Unit 31 has now been completed to Green Control Systems Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Ltd, a local occupier who was on the search for a new office home. The interest in the unit was strong and we managed to receive several credible offers.

The unit comprised 1,545ft² of office accommodation across two floors with a mixture of both cellular and open plan office space. The property also benefits from several car parking spaces to the front and offers good accessibility to Nottingham City Centre, Beeston Town Centre and the A52, J25 of the M1.

Amy Howard of FHP’s Agency Department commented:

“It is great to see the deal complete on Unit 31, with the property being previously under offer to another party, it was reassurance for all getting the property back under offer again so quickly.

Eldon Business Park provides good quality office units, situated in a prominent location which provided a perfect opportunity for owner occupiers or local investors and resulted in a high level of interest on the unit. These out-of-town business parks are still showing strong activity throughout Q3 2022, with FHP already achieving three deals on Eldon this year. The generous amount of car parking spaces available on these parks makes it an attractive alternative to city centre locations.

If you are interested in selling or renting your property, please feel free to contact me on 07887 787 894, or alternatively you can email me at amy.howard@fhp.co.uk.”

ENDS

19 October 2022

FHP Property Consultants are delighted to bring to the market Unit 20, The Village which is located approximately 0.5 miles east of Junction 28 of the M1 via the A38 dual carriageway offering excellent road access throughout the Midlands and UK.

The property comprises of modern ground floor office space of 96m² (1,035ft²) with on-site security.  The building benefits from a large open plan office with air conditioning fitted throughout and a fully fitted kitchenette and WCs.

Corbin Archer and Jamie Gilbertson at FHP Property Consultants commented:

“We are pleased to bring this unit to the market and are looking forward to speaking to potential new tenants. This office is open plan offering a collaborative workspace with the option of creating multiple working destinations, minutes from Junction 28 of the M1. The building also benefits from being on an office development park within close proximity to East Midlands Designer Outlet Village. If you are interested in this property and would like to arrange a viewing, feel free to contact us.”

For further information, please contact Corbin Archer (07929 716 330/ corbin.archer@fhp.co.uk) or Jamie Gilbertson  (07398 443 828/ jamie.gilbertson@fhp.co.uk) of FHP Property Consultants.

ENDS

October 2022

FHP Property Consultants are delighted to announce the letting of 38 Royal Scot Road, Pride Park, Derby DE23 8AJ.

38 Royal Scott Road benefits from excellent connections to the M1 and East Midlands Airport via the A50 and A52. The location on Pride Park provides excellent links into Derby City Centre as well as a host of local amenities.  Pride Park is Derby’s premier business address and has over 10,000 people working on the park each day.

The property forms part of a hybrid style unit and comprises of modern first floor office accommodation with a ground floor entrance, meeting room and reception area.  The offices are ready for immediate occupation and benefit from on site parking for 6 cars.

The offices have been let on new lease terms for a period of 5 years at a rent equating to £11.55 per sq ft.

Jamie Gilbertson, Surveyor at FHP Property Consultants comments:

“I am delighted to have completed this letting and I wish the tenant well in their new offices.  There is still demand in the market for small conventional office space and this is a great example of that.  Of the businesses I am speaking with on a daily basis, they all require clean and creative space which is ready for occupation as soon as possible.  It’s pleasing to see companies are moving back into the office and away from 5 days a week of “home working”.

For further information, please contact Jamie Gilbertson of FHP Property Consultants on (07398 443 828/ jamie.gilbertson@fhp.co.uk).

ENDS

October 2022

Granite House at Watermead Business Park is due to undergo a substantial transformation following its recent acquisition by Boundary Real Estate Partners (BREP).  The building provides a 50,000 sq ft office building set on a large car park with some of the highest parking provision provided within the East Midlands region at a ratio of 1:147 and is outside of the parking levy zone.  The new owners have started work to reposition the building within the marketplace to provide a ‘best in class opportunity’ to meet occupier demand.  The plans include a substantial refurbishment of the reception to create a new full height entrance area with feature staircase, full refurbishment of the welfare facilities and with the installation of showers.  The landscaping will be improved to create a leisure area incorporating bike storage, outdoor seating and break out areas.

New owners, BREP, are particularly focused on the ESG credentials of the building and, through the refurbishment works, are targeting EPC B rating, over and above minimum standards for 2025 and beyond.  The asset will also be future proofed for electric car charging with the installation of EV charging points.

Working alongside Leicester County Council’s Sustainable Travel Coordinator, the owners are seeking to secure Modeshift accreditation and are now trialling the use of e-bikes encouraging occupiers of the scheme to get the most out of the amenities provided by Thurmaston Retail Park and the use of Watermead Country Park.

Agents, FHP and CBRE have commenced marketing of the first floor office space within the building which provides some 24,863 sq ft of Grade A space on a single floorplate, the largest single available floorplate within Leicester.

Mark Tomlinson, Director at FHP commented:

“We have seen a drive towards quality among occupiers with a particular focus on lifestyle and wellbeing alongside continued focus on energy efficiency and it is important that the regional office market delivers office buildings to cater for these requirements.  These are exciting plans for the building, many of which are unrivalled within the Leicester market.”

Michelle Mills, Director at CBRE commented:

“The Leicester office market remains undersupplied with Grade A options for corporate occupiers looking to change the way in which they work going forwards. Granite House will deliver one of the premium options within the City.”

There are a number of discussions underway with prospective occupiers.  For more information on the scheme, please contact Mark Tomlinson at FHP or Michelle Mills at CBRE.

FHP are delighted to bring to market this Grade II listed building positioned on Market Place.  Southwell is a popular market town and is anchored by their Southwell Minster and a plethora of nearby amenities. The property benefits from good access and is a short walk to a mixture of retail and leisure shops and restaurants.

The property comprises 1,061 sq ft of office accommodation across three floors with a generous yard space to the rear of the property.  The building is available with vacant possession and at an asking price of £240,000 or by way of lease at £17,000 per annum.

Amy Howard of FHP Property Consultants commented:

‘It is great to bring this rare opportunity to the market and have an FHP presence in the market town of Southwell.  I am excited to work on this sale and I imagine that we will receive high interest.  The property is the perfect fit for an owner occupier and also provides an excellent opportunity for residential redevelopment (STP).”

If you are interested in the property, please feel free to contact me on 07887 787 894, alternatively you can email me at amy.howard@fhp.co.uk.

Upon the instructions of Henry Brothers Ltd, FHP Property Consultants are delighted to have acquired Unit 32 Eldon Road in Chilwell.

The 3,044ft² office building provides fully refurbished accommodation over two floors – of which Henry Brothers are now subjecting to a high specification fit out, providing not just office space but also bespoke meeting spaces and break out areas.

There is also a substantial car parking provision to the front with the location easily accessible to Beeston Town Centre, the M1 Motorway and Nottingham City Centre.

Thomas Szymkiw, of FHP’s Agency Department commented:

“Henry Brothers contacted us with a specific requirement for a certain type of office building that would be suitable for their needs going forward. 

After initially undertaking an extensive search of availability on the market and providing recommendations on the options – it was clear that 32 Eldon Road was the front runner. 

We subsequently managed to get the transaction completed within a swift timeframe – resulting in a smooth transition for Henry Brothers.

I would therefore be delighted to hear from any other occupiers who are looking to move office premises to see how we can also be of assistance.”

Ian Taylor, Director of Henry Brothers commented:

“This is the second time that we have engaged FHP to find an office for us. They were involved when we launched the business in the East Midlands 8 years ago and due to our continued growth in the Midlands we returned to them to find a more suitable office for our expanding team. 

I’m pleased to say they worked tirelessly to offer up options, show us round the market and then hone in on a short list of viable offices.”

For further information on this acquisition, or to speak with FHP in regards to your office requirements going forward – please do not hesitate to contact Thomas Szymkiw on 07896 035 805 or thomas@fhp.co.uk.

FHP Property Consultants are delighted to announce the letting of Suite GA at Pentagon House, Sir Frank Whittle Road, Derby to Wowcher.

Pentagon House is a landmark multi tenanted office building providing high quality modern accommodation across four floors.  The building benefits from a staffed reception, air conditioning and excellent on site parking with a ratio of 1 space per 200ft².

Wowcher have taken a new 5 year lease on a ground floor suite measuring 3,919ft².

Darran Severn, Director at FHP Property Consultants comments:

“It was a pleasure to deal with Wowcher.  We first discussed an office relocation with them back in 2021 and it is great to have now found them suitable accommodation.   There has been significant investment in the building recently and it really shows.  The modern reception leads to newly refurbished open plan office space which benefits from showers and individual WC’s.

In addition to the Wowcher letting, a 786ft² pavilion suite has been let to Dovedale Logistics and another entire wing is under offer of which we hope to release further details shortly.  There are still suites available within the building starting from 3,747ft² and if you would like to take a look, then please do get in touch.”

Mark Roberts of Loxton Developments who own the property commented:-

“Pentagon House is one of the most prominent office buildings in Derby city centre overlooking Derbyshire County Cricket ground.  The suites are refurbished with kitchens and data cabling so ready to occupy now with minimum fit out required.

With an EPC of B the building is very energy efficient which is increasingly important to tenants.

We are delighted to welcome some new tenants to the building which previously has been occupied by Alstom, Citi and Balfour Beatty.”

Innes England acted as joint agents.

For further information or to arrange a viewing please contact Darran Severn on 07917 460031 / darran@fhp.co.uk or Corbin Archer on 07929 716330 / corbin.archer@fhp.co.uk.

August 2022

ENDS

I joined FHP during the summer in 2022 whilst completing my MSc in Real Estate at Nottingham Trent University. Prior to this I previously graduated from the University of Nottingham with a 2:1 in History.

I work predominately in FHP’s Derby Office dealing with the sale and lettings of all forms of commercial property from office, industrial and retail and I cover most of Derbyshire and assist on instructions across the whole of the East Midlands.

FHP are delighted to confirm that Nexus Multi Academy Trust have secured a unit on Broadfield Court, Sheffield.  The established company, specialising in teaching support will be a great asset to the business park and provide further diversity.  The unit comprises 1,895 sq ft and is situated just south of Sheffield City Centre, providing great access links for the Academy.

Amy Howard, of FHP’s Office Department commented:

“With the property being situated in Sheffield, it was certainly new territory being predominantly based in Nottingham, that being said the traction received on this unit remained strong and we received several offers.

 It is great to see this deal cross the line and within such a quick timeframe.  The Academy’s goal was to complete within a month of being under offer, the consistency and focus from both parties allowed this to happen.  It has been a pleasure to work on this deal and I wish Nexus Multi Academy Trust all the best at Broadfield Court”.

If you are looking to dispose of a freehold / leasehold office unit within Sheffield, please feel free to call me on 07887 787 894, alternatively you can email at amy.howard@fhp.co.uk.

FHP Property Consultants are pleased to confirm the letting of The Barn, Main Street, Kings Newton, Derbyshire, DE73 8BX.  The Barn is situated within the Kings Newton Hall Estate in the village of Kings Newton and comprises a two storey Grade II listed property that has been converted to use as an office building.

The property has been let on new lease terms for a period of 10 years at a rent of £18,000 per annum.

Darran Severn of FHP Property Consultants comments:

“This is a really unique office building set within the countryside but also has excellent connectivity  via the A50 and A38.  I am pleased to confirm we have secured this letting within a matter of months and both our client and the new tenant are extremely happy with the result. 

There has been good activity within the office market over the last 12 months across Derbyshire and it is clear that businesses are seeking higher quality accommodation which is accessible and close to amenities.”

For further information on the letting please contact Darran Severn on 07917 460031 / darran@fhp.co.uk.

August 2022

ENDS

Law firm Potter Clarkson is moving to new offices in the heart of Nottingham city centre. The intellectual property specialist has signed a 10 year lease for 16,000 sq ft at Chapel Quarter.

Potter Clarkson plans to move in next January after refurbishment works have been completed.

The office space will be stripped back to a shell, fully refurbished and fitted out as Grade A offices by Claremont Group Interiors, with an element of the cost being funded by the landlord.

Steve Smith, Managing Partner of the Potter Clarkson group, said:

“We are excited by the opportunity to design and develop a new working environment that supports greater flexibility and productivity – something that is tailor-made for our staff and clients.

Our new office will provide the highest quality environment to meet the new and future needs of our business, ensuring that Nottingham remains the beating heart of our firm.”

The lease negotiations were overseen throughout by Roger Davis of Geo Hallam & Sons and supported by Freeths.

Mark Tomlinson, Director at FHP, brought forwards the occupier interest and acted on behalf of the Tenant in the surrender negotiations.

Additional support was provided by Oval Real Estate, as advisers to the landlord.

It is rare that a freehold period office building comes to market and we are therefore delighted to have received instructions to sell Thiskey House on St James Terrace – a fine example of a three storey Georgian former townhouse located in the heart of Nottingham’s prestigious Professional Quarter.

The building itself retains much of its original charm – with tiled flooring to the entrance hall, staircase, fireplaces throughout and even the original stove (although we are not sure this is still useable for cooking!)  Additionally, there is a delightful courtyard style garden to the rear. Perfect for any office occupier looking to purchase their own building in a great spot in the city centre close to shops, bars and restaurants – there could also be the potential for residential conversion to either one dwelling or apartments (subject to planning).

Interest in the property is therefore sure to be high and we would welcome any interested parties to get in touch to discuss the opportunity further. For more information, please do not hesitate to contact Thomas Szymkiw of FHP’s Office Team on 07896 035 805 or thomas@fhp.co.uk.

FHP Property Consultants, on behalf of clients are delighted to have completed the letting of 10 Colwick Quays to Cellomatics Biosciences Ltd.

The building provides circa 5,000ft² of modern office accommodation over two floors, that recently has been fully refurbished by the current owners and benefits from a substantial car parking provision. Cellomatics, with the help of APSS Ltd have themselves now undertaken a transformational refurbishment internally that provides high specification laboratory and office accommodation.

Thomas Szymkiw of FHP’s Office Team commented:

“Cellomatics were a pleasure to work with from start to finish and I am therefore very pleased that we have been able to accommodate them at 10 Colwick Quays. 

The building provides purpose built accommodation that has now been subjected to a state of the art fit out that suits their needs perfectly going forward and I wish them the best of luck for the future. 

It just goes to show that the office market is still very much alive and kicking and I would be delighted to assist any other companies who are also in the market.”

Stuart Gibson, Finance Director of Cellomatics Biosciences Ltd:

“The new building provides us with the space to accommodate our growth plans and the team are really enjoying their new working environment. 

Thomas was extremely helpful and professional to deal with throughout the whole process from the first interactions through to completion.”   

For further information on this letting, or to discuss your office requirements moving forwards – please do not hesitate to contact Thomas Szymkiw of FHP on 07896 035 805 or thomas@fhp.co.uk.

FHP Property Consultants acting on behalf of clients have completed on the sale of 52A High Pavement in Nottingham’s historic Lace Market – also known as ‘The Creative Quarter’.

The former lace works has been snapped up by Waste Studio, an expanding creative design agency – who were already based in the area.  The building provides circa 2,800 sq ft of office accommodation over three floors and benefits from some fantastic views over south Nottingham.  Built in 1897 the property has only had two previous owners, thankfully both of which have retained many period features including original goods lift hoist, sash windows, wooden flooring, staircase and heating system – all of which provide a building with great character and history.

Thomas Szymkiw of FHP’s Office Agency Team commented:

“Buildings such as this in The Lace Market rarely come on the market, therefore I am delighted for Norman and the rest of the team at Waste Studio who have secured a fantastic base for their operations moving forward. 

The office market in the area really is going from strength to strength and with several disposals already completed this year, The Lace Market continues to be in high demand for occupiers. 

Therefore, it would be great to hear from any companies who are considering their options moving forward to see how we can be of assistance.”

Norman Hayes, Creative Director of Waste Studio commented:

“We’re super excited and proud to have now completed purchasing our first property as Waste Studio. 

Nottingham has been the home to our business for the last 12 years and we feel proud to finally invest and further lay foundations within Nottingham, especially in the beautiful Lace Market area. 

Our new building is full of original character and the space it provides is perfect. We plan to create an epicentre for creativity, providing flexible spaces that will work not only as our studio environment but also allow for events, talks and collaborations to happen. 

Over the coming months, we will develop the building bringing it up to date whilst preserving all of the original features.”

For further information on this sale, or to discuss your office requirements in further detail – please do not hesitate to contact Thomas Szymkiw of FHP on 07896 035 805 or thomas@fhp.co.uk.